Evaluation- The cornerstone of Toastmasters!

03.08.2008

I was the Table Topics Evaluator at ny Toastmaster Club meeting today. The speakers were above average and I sincerely hope I gave them good feedback. Incidentally, they gave me the best evaluator ribbon!

Here are some tips on good evalation techniques I heard at the Education session on Evaluation conducted by DTM Manian, a senior Toastmaster from Bangalore:

• Evaluation is the cornerstone of the Toastmasters Edifice.


• Evaluators are not specialists, but rather ordinary people giving feedback and learning in that process the art of giving constructive feedback.


• An evaluator should ask the speaker, beforehand, whether there are any specific inputs they would like to have on their delivery or content.


• The speaker deserves the evaluator's service. The Evaluator owes him three and a half minutes, which is the time allotted for evaluation.


• 6o% of the time, your evaluation should be positive and full of praise for the good things the speaker said or did; 30% of the time should be pointing out the possibilities for improvement in a constructive manner; the remaining 20% should give suggestions for inprovement.


• An Evaluation should also have a begining body and conclusion.


• Keep on noting down positive points because 60% of your time should be postive and constructive.


• Don't keep on carping on negatives.


• Begin with a quotation that is relevant.


• You can use notes.


• Your Summation carries 15 marks, so sum up the evaluation. Summing up should mention positive points, shortcomings and suggestions. Mention that you are going to sum up your evaluation!


• An analytical approach should be preferred.